The Fiji Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and international cooperation after the United States imposed sanctions on Chinese-Fijian businessman Zhao Fugang over allegations of significant corruption.
The US State Department announced the public designation of Zhao, director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center in Fiji, accusing him of paying bribes to Fijian citizens to advance China-based government, business and criminal interests.
The designation makes Zhao and his immediate family members generally ineligible for entry into the United States under provisions of US law targeting foreign officials involved in significant corruption or gross human rights violations.
In a statement, the Fiji Government acknowledged the US decision while emphasising that allegations of unlawful conduct in Fiji should be addressed through the country’s own legal and law enforcement processes.
“Any allegations of unlawful conduct within Fiji must be addressed through the appropriate Fijian legal and law enforcement processes,” the Government said.
It encouraged relevant US authorities to share credible information or evidence of alleged offences committed in Fiji with their Fijian counterparts for assessment and investigation where warranted.
The Government also stressed that allegations did not constitute proof of wrongdoing and that any action by Fijian authorities must uphold due process, the presumption of innocence and the rule of law.
Fiji said it remained committed to working constructively with the United States and other international partners to combat transnational crime and unlawful activities.
Zhao denies allegations
Zhao has rejected the allegations, describing them as false and misleading.
In a letter sent to the US Embassy in Suva on Thursday, he categorically denied paying bribes, abusing a public position or engaging in corruption to advance the interests of China-based government, business or criminal actors.
“There are no ongoing criminal proceedings against me in Fiji,” the letter stated.
Zhao argued that the US announcement made serious allegations without identifying the specific conduct involved. He called on the State Department to provide details of the alleged offences so he could submit a formal response and sought the removal of the sanctions notice until he had been given an opportunity to respond.
His lawyers previously told the ABC they were unaware of the investigation and intended to seek clarification from the US Government.
Fijian Foreign Affairs Minister Sakiasi Ditoka also told the ABC he had not been officially informed of the designation before being contacted by the broadcaster. He said the normal process would involve formal notification to the Government through the Foreign Affairs Minister.
US cites concerns over foreign influence
In a statement posted on social media, the US Embassy in Suva said Zhao’s alleged activities had left Fiji vulnerable to what it described as “malign foreign influence” involving Chinese government, business and criminal actors.
The embassy also argued that corruption undermined foreign investment and assistance, facilitated organised crime and weakened public confidence in government.
The US State Department said the designation was made under Section 7031(c) of US appropriations law, which allows the Secretary of State to publicly or privately designate foreign officials and their immediate family members where there is credible information of involvement in significant corruption or gross human rights violations.
The designation is an administrative action by the United States and is not, by itself, a criminal conviction.
Earlier allegations and scrutiny
Zhao has previously faced allegations reported by media and investigative organisations.
In 2024, Nine Entertainment’s 60 Minutes and partner newspapers alleged he was a senior member of a transnational criminal network and had links to the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department, which seeks to advance Beijing’s interests overseas.
The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project also alleged that Zhao held a senior position in a network involved in drug smuggling, money laundering and human trafficking. Its reporting said his name had been included in the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s Australian Priority Organisation Targets registry.
Those reports also noted that authorities had not charged Zhao in Australia or elsewhere and had not publicly disclosed evidence supporting the allegations.
In 2024, Fiji’s then-Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told the ABC he did not know whether Zhao worked as an operative for the Chinese Government and said Zhao was entitled to the rights of a Fijian citizen.
The Chinese Embassy in Suva had previously defended the activities of Chinese diaspora organisations in Fiji, describing their work as transparent and above reproach. It also said Zhao was a Fijian citizen.
Zhao has appeared at events attended by Chinese officials, including ceremonies relating to police cooperation between Fiji and China. Fiji’s then-prime minister Frank Bainimarama and China’s then-ambassador to Fiji, Zhang Ping, attended a ceremony marking Zhao’s appointment as director of the Overseas Chinese Service Center about a decade ago.
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